The Elgin Park Orcas’ senior boys soccer team placed 13th at B.C. senior boys triple-A soccer championships last week.
But regardless of the result, coach Cari James reiterated that just making the provincials was a success in and of itself.
Before this year, the team’s wins over the past three seasons could be counted on one hand, and until James – who’d never coached before – was pressed into service, the team did not have a coach and came close to having to fold.
The team was also the first senior boys soccer team in school history to qualify for B.C. championships.
“When all was said and done… it was a fabulous, record-breaking season for our boys,” James said.
The Orcas began the tournament – held in Burnaby – Thursday, losing 2-1 to Sutherland, who went on to finish first.
In the team’s second game, Elgin fought last year’s B.C. champions from Charles Best to a scoreless draw, before losing their third tilt, 1-0 to Eric Hamber.
The Orcas got their first victory in their fourth attempt, edging Prince George 4-3. They wrapped things up with a 4-3 penalty-kick victory over Queen Elizabeth Secondary.
Elgin Park captain Justin Duck was named the Orcas’ recipient of the Commissioner’s Award.